Luminous sign



July 23, l929 J. o. SULLIVAN 1,721,534

LUMI NOUS S IGN Filed Nov. 13, 1925 Patented `uly 23, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

A JOSEPH 0. SULLIVAN, OF MERCHANTVILLE, JERSEY.

LUmNoUs SIGN.

Application led November 13, 1925. Serial No. 88,906.

My invention comprises an improved display sign and the method of making same. 1n the practice of my invention a suitable base is incrusted with a luminous mixture of powdered mica and schmelze or powdered glass so as to 'form a suitable design or legend. Preferably the adhesion of the luminous mixture to the base is secured by coating the base with an adhesive, such as an oxidizable oil paint, shellac, or plaster of Paris, having the tint or color desired, and, while the coating is viscid, sprinkling thereon the luminous mixture. The brilliancy of the mica is modified or toned by the schmelze, which also gives the desired color or shade to the incrustation. The size of the powder granules comprised in the mixture will be determined according to the location of the sign and the effect desired. The finer the schmelze granules are ground, the less sparkling and more velvety is the effect produced.

For signs tobe observed from a distance, the granules are made comparatively coarse, and where large surfaces are to be covered the mixture may be adulterated with marble dust or line sand.

Designs or legends are preferably outlined on the base before the adhesive substance is applied thereto, and may be colored either before or Aafter the application of the adhesive and luminous mixture to the background. The designs or legends contrast in color or shade with the background and if colored prior to the application of the adhesive and luminous mixture and left unincrusted an intaglio effect is obtained. The designs may be coated with adhesive contrasting in color or shade with the backgroundand while viscous sprinkled with a mixture of ground mica and schmelze giving the effect of a design in relief.

The adulteration of the luminous mixture by the addition of marble dust or sand, in such proportion as may by test be found to effect the modification desired, isparticularly useful when .a white or light effect is desired.

The drawing represents an elevation of a sign made in accordance with my invention, with parts broken away for the purpose of illustration. v

As illustrated in the drawing, a base 1 of suitable material, such as metal, wood, libre or plaster, has formed thereon in outline the legend Sesqui-Centennial 17 76 1926 and a representation of the Liberty Bell. The

legend is preferably colored with a matte oxidizable oil paint, for instance, red, and left unincrusted. When the legend has dried,- the base 1 has applied thereto an oxidizable oil paint 2 contrasting in color or shade with the legend, for instance white, and while still viscid is coated, preferably by springling, with a mixture 3 of mica, schmelze and marble dust, the proportions of the ingredients being determined by the size and location of the sign and the effect desired.

When the coating 2 has hardened,l the Liberty Bell design has applied thereto a coat of oxidizable oil paint of a color or shade contrasting with the background, for instance blue, and while this coating is still viscid a mixture of mica and finely ground blue schmelze. The sign produced is very striking and attractive, giving an effect of both brilliance and softness.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A luminous sign comprising a base having a section coated with a mixture of mica, powdered glass and an adulterant, a non-luminous section forming a design, and a section coated with a mixture of mica and forming a contrasting background for said first and second named sections and a powder modifying the brilliance of the mica.

2. The method of forming a luminous sign which consists of designing a base, applying an oxidizable oil paint to said base except on said design, applying mica and schmelze to said base ywhile said paint is viscid, and applying a paint to said design after first named paint has hardened, and

applying a mixture of mica and schemlze to said second named paint While viscid.

3. A luminous sign comprising a non-lu- .adesign on said background.

4. The method of forming a luminous sign which consists in forming a suitable design by encrusting a base with a luminous mixture of powdered mica and schmelze, the adhesion of the luminous mixture to the base being secured by coating the base with an adhesive and sprinkling the luminous mixture thereon while the coating is viscid, said luminous mixture being applied outside of outlines on the base forming a design contrasting with the background, and coating a portion only of said design with a mixture of ground mica and schmelze.

5. The method of making a luminous sign which consists in forming an outline of a legend upon a suitable base and coloring such legend; applying to the base an oxidizable l0 oil paint contrasting with the legend; sprinkling said paint while viscid with a mixture of mica, schmelze and marble dust; applying a coating of oxidizable oil paint contrasting with the background to form a dcsign thereon; and coating said last named paint While viscid With a mixture of mica and finely ground schmelze.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto sot my name this 11th day of Nov., 1925.

JOSEPH O. SULLIVAN. 

